Facility

Reviews

From a First-Timer

“I went to New Life Ayahuasca having never traveled internationally by myself, didn’t know a single person and had never done any type of plant medicines. The entire experience was life changing! From the second I arrived, I felt my fears melt away. Matt and Jeanae welcomed all of us when we arrived and made us feel right at home. The house was amazing! It’s in a beautiful location, surrounded by nature. I saw monkeys, parrots and some other animals I didn’t even know existed. You get your own room and your own bathroom. This is perfect if you need a little alone time. Most of the other places don’t offer that and the ones that do, are expensive. The food was nutritious and really good. The ceremonies were beautiful, and they are held in a safe environment. Matt helped me prepare for the ceremonies and I felt like he really cared about helping and listening to me. That’s a big deal when you’re doing something that you’ve never done before. We got to do yoga with Jeanae, who is a wonderful teacher. I met some amazing people at New Life and I felt like we all connected. Everyone was so friendly and they were easy to talk to. The groups are a little smaller which in my opinion, is the way to go. Having experienced all that I did, I would have felt very overwhelmed if I was at a retreat with 10 +. I won’t speak much about the medicine because each experience is different for each person. My experience is hard to put into words. It’s been about a month and I’m discovering new things about life and myself every day. That may sound cliche, but it’s so true. I’m not the same person I was when I arrived, and I mean that in a good way. Going to New Life Ayahuasca was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My intuition guided me here and now I understand why. I highly recommend this place! I’ll be back for sure. Thank you Matt & Jeanae!”

- Mike P

Feel the Love

“One of the most deep and profound experiences of my life. Matt is the real deal and an amazing healer. Jeanne is his perfect counterpart. From their delicious, farm to table, nutritious meals to their multiple plant medicine healing modalities, and amazing icaros, they work to massage away any emotional or physical difficulties that might be ailing you. They do so in such a grounded and wholesome way. The love and warmth is palpable. I left brighter, happier and more connected to nature and the cosmos.”

- Vinh Ngo

Follow-Up Review

“This is my second review of New Life Ayahuasca. NLA is a wonderful and at times a magical place. Those of you who have never taken the medicine might roll your eyes at my use of the term ‘magical’. That’s OK, just try it and see. Matt and Jeanae have created a safe and caring environment in which one can grow. For those who hear the call of Ayahuasca, the medicine can bring about amazing personal transformations. I am not the same man who first went to New Life a year and a half ago. Then, I was a damaged man who was haunted by a a rough childhood. I was prone to depression and quick to take offense. While I was good at my job, I wasn’t well liked because of my quick temper. Now, after three retreats, I am a changed man. My baseline is ‘happy’ and I nearly always feel content, which is not something most people can say these days. I am much less into myself and I care more about others, especially my family. I am less combative, more creative, and have an easier time seeing other people’s points of view. I feel lucky to be me and I feel gratitude every day. As a result, people like me much more which, of course makes me happier. It is a virtuous cycle. On an objective level, my EQ score has improved dramatically. Of course, this is just my experience. I cannot know what Ayahuasca will do for you. For me, though, it has changed my life – dramatically – and for the better.”

Kambo

KAMBO

What is Kambo?

Giant Monkey Tree Frog

Kambo , also called Sapo or ‘frog poison’, is a natural non-psychedelic medicine made from the secretions of the Giant Monkey Tree Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) and is used to treat a variety of ailments. It is best known for its natural antibiotic, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties but is also used to address infections, depression, blood circulation, to relieve pain and to boost the immune system. It acts a strong detoxification process and helps clear the body of energy blockages. Its use originated in the Northwestern Amazon in Columbia, Brazil and Peru but Kambo use has been growing in popularity in the West alongside other ancient medicines such as Ayahuasca and Iboga.

Legend

There are many legends about the origins of Kambo use, but the most widely accepted story comes from Brazil. According to Kaxinawa legend, the village fell dangerously ill to an unknown disease. The village Shaman, Kampu, tried every known medicinal herb and remedy to cure them but none were effective in providing relief from their illness. In desperation Kampu sought guidance from the medicine ayahuasca. While in the forest and under the guidance of the sacred medicine, he was visited by the Great Spirit who presented him with the frog and gave him the knowledge to cure his village. The divine spirit then taught him how to extract a white secretion and apply it to his village. Kampu returned and did as he was instructed, curing his village of their ailment. After Kampu’s death, it is said his spirit entered the frog and remains there today to help aid and protect the people of the forest.

Use in the amazon

Kambo continues to be used through the Amazon to aid in overall health, strength and immunity. The hunters of the village often use Kambo before the hunt because of Kambo’s ability to heighten eyesight, hearing, and strength which all lead to a more keen ability to located prey. It is used to cleanse the body of many illnesses –especially those specific to the region such as malaria and certain insect bites.

THE PROCESS

Kambo is not a pleasurable experience, it can be very difficult physically and emotionally but the benefits of this medicine make the discomfort well worth the reward.

Kambo Stick

Before Kambo is applied, you most not eat for 8 hours prior, so the morning before breakfast is an excellent time for the process. Participants are required to drink 1 – 2 liters of water which can be in itself quite difficult but a necessary first part of the experience. While the participants are drinking the water in preparation for the experience, our practitioner will go over what to expect, explain how Kambo is applied, and what benefits from experience may be (keeping in mind every individual is different and unique and the medicine will work its its own way accordingly.)

Application

Kambo is applied to superficial burns to the skin. The burns are made using a small stick to the top layer of the skin on the shoulder. Cold water is applied and the top layer of burnt skin is removed to expose the deeper layer underneath. The Kambo is then applied in ‘points’ to the burns. How many points you will receive is determined by the practitioner but generally 2-5 points are applied. At New Life Ayahuasca, we start off with 1 point to see how each individual reacts to the medicine and gauge the level of sensitivity to determine how many additional points will be added. Participants are asked to sit in a comfortable upright position through out the entire process which lasts around 20-30 minutes.

Effects

Once all the points have been added, the effects can be felt immediately, usually with-in 1-2 minutes of application. The heart beat will increase and a feeling a warmth with spread through the body. Often a tingly, electric or pins and needles sensation can be felt in the hands and toes. A pressure will be felt on the body, as if gravity has been turned up, but it is important not to collapse and to remain seated upright with the spine and neck aligned. A change in hearing and a feeling of pressure on the head can be felt, and all these symptoms together will lead to a feeling of nausea – this is where the purge begins.

The stomach will be full of water and ready for the purge. The vomiting usually begins within 5 minutes of the points being applied. If the participant does not begin vomiting, our practitioner will ask that more water be drank or more points will be applied. The vomiting can be quite difficult, often making breathing restricted and creating a sensation of drowning. This is all normal and will pass. After each time the participant vomits, a few moments rest will be allowed before being asked to drink more water. This is one of the most difficult but essential parts of the process. It is important you keep putting the water in your body so the Kambo can keep working in you system and keep the process of elimination going – it is all to serve you best in the end. The cycle of purging and drinking water will continue until the effects of the medicine subside and the body no longer has the desire to eliminate the water after it is consumed. The whole process will last about 20-30 minutes.

You will be done once you are able to drink a full glass of water and hold it down. From there, our practioner will ask you stay sitting upright for 5 additional minutes while the Kambo finishes working in your body. From there, you will be invited to lay down while soothing music is played for an additional 20-30 minutes. This time gives your body and mind the chance to recover and rest from the whole process. You will emerge feeling restored and invigorated. Breakfast will then be available.

Purging

Kambo is a purging process – physically and emotionally. Most often it is in the form of vomiting, but can also come by diarrhea, sweating, crying, laughing, moaning and yelling. All of these things are encouraged. The purge is about release. Physical release -cleansing of the liver, stomach, intestines and stimulation of the endocrine glands. Emotional release – letting go of emotions, removal of energy blockages and realignment of the chakras and meridians of the body.

Post-cleanse

Most people report heightened senses – sight, smell, taste, touch – and an extreme clarity and calmness of mind. The effects on the body are total detoxification and cleansing, stimulation of the endocrine glands and boosted energy/endurance. Psychological benefits include a sense of peace, absence of depression and agitation, and energy re-alignment.

KAMBO AND AYAHUASCA

Kambo is an excellent way to prepare the mind and body for the effects of ayahuasca. It is said the purging process experienced during Kambo can help reduce the amount of purging in the ayahuasca ceremonies. It also helps clear the energy and prepare the mind for the psychological effects of ayahuasca. The connection between Kambo and Ayahuasca is special – being that the spirit of ayahuasca is what, according to legend, brought about the knowledge of Kambo use and its incredible benefits.

Humane Collection of Secretion

The frogs are never injured during the collection of their secretions. To do so would be considered disrespectful to the spirit of the medicine and bad luck. The frog is collected and held down by each leg causing it stress, it then secretes its poison which is collected and put onto a wooden stick. The secretions dry on the stick so they can be used at a later time. The frog is then released back into its natural environment.